Got Rear Ended Yesterday

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

 >:(About 1.5 miles from home, a guy slowed down in front of me to make a left into his driveway.  I slowed and just about stopped, and just as I went to take off, I got rear ended.  I never went down.  Young girl just wasnt paying attention.  Once I got her license plate and piece of her car out of my rear fender, I was able to move my bike off the road.   Surprisingly there is minor damage visible considering.  Mostly just my complete rear fender and turn signals.  I was able to pull the fender side away from the side wall and ride the bike home.  Everything seemed to be fine.  I talked to the parent and told her I just want my bike fixed quickly.  My questions are, what if anything should I check out or look into to make sure I dont screw myself?  I havent pulled the seat off yet or removed the fender but I will hopefully today.

[Valkorado]

No tech info here, others will chime in with that.  All I can say is you are a lucky man, and I'm sure your skills came into play in keeping the bike upright.

[Denver98]

 I would be looking for bent shocks and damage to the swingarm / driveshaft tube. Could be subtle but a good giveaway is cracks in the paint where and bends would be.
 Also I would check front to rear alignment, the swingarm may have shifted to the side on impact.

[Earl in Pensacola]

HER insurance company will have the bike inspected for a repair estimate and that is the time to point out ANYTHING that you may notice.  Likely, they will write you a check for the full amount and you can fix it yourself, as I did.  By-the-way, their estimate is based upon parts that may no longer be available!  I had to buy a used fender and have it painted which still cost less than the estimate. 

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Just pulled the drivers seat off and there is paint peeling on the welds of the frame on both sides.  So now, I need to be sure theres no major issues.  Have to have an adjuster come out for sure.

[Earl in Pensacola]

Unless there is  "TRULY" damged suff. to total her, don't let it happen, especially if YOU are willing to do all or most of the labor!

[cma1]

you won't have any say so as to wether it is a total loss or not, if the repairs excede 80% of the retail book value, its a total. however you can give up 20% of the retail book value and buy your salvage back. just be aware you may wind up with a total loss title.

[9Ball]

glad you're not hurt...let me know if you need any help.  John-Woodstown

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

I'll be calling their insurance company tomorrow and work on getting an adjuster out.  I can do all the work thats needed but if there is frame issues, thats another story.

[fudgie]

Sux, you had such a pretty bike. 

[Jess from VA]

Besides a bent frame, I would also be worried about the drive train from the Ujoint back.  If its rideable, do so and make sure you cannot feel or hear Ujoint damage.  Put it on a lift and spin the back wheel and look for smooth operation and crooked, cocked anything.  Bent rim?  Damaged tire?  Shocks?

[pancho]

Like Jess said, riding it will tell you a lot,,, how does it track when you let go of the bars,, can you still move it from side to side easily with hands off the bars,, etc. 
Anything can be fixed, but you surely want to point every single thing that is wrong to the insurance company representative, and not be finding this stuff out piece at a time once you have taken a check and signed off on it. 

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Besides a bent frame, I would also be worried about the drive train from the Ujoint back.  If its rideable, do so and make sure you cannot feel or hear Ujoint damage.  Put it on a lift and spin the back wheel and look for smooth operation and crooked, cocked anything.  Bent rim?  Damaged tire?  Shocks?

I actually rode it home after the accident.  Tracked straight, no noises that I noticed.   I will ride it again to be sure.  Shocks were untouched, Fat car tire protected the rim; no sign of any damage, tire looks good but lost some air.   Her front end hit my rear car tire and then rolled up under my fender pushing the subframe and strut covers up.  That seems to be what caused the stress on the subframe welds behind the drivers seat.  Just a matter of it bent up or not.  

[Brian]

So glad you are okay. I hope all goes well with your bike inspection.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Thanks, me too.  Just got a message from the insurer, Ive be upgraded to an inspect and pay status as they have accepted 100% liability.  I just want to be sure if there is any frame or internal damage.  I dont see how that can be done by a visual inspection. 

[Jess from VA]

When my bike shop wrecked my hog on a test ride years ago (Yes that sucked), the bike shop's insurance company farmed out the inspection/repair estimate to a motorcycle specialist who came all the way up from Richmond VA.  I met him at the bike shop and watched his inspection.... he really knew his stuff, and I was able to point out things that were no longer available aftermarket, discuss paint options, etc.  I was very happy with the result, except they proposed to repaint only the side of the bike (and parts) that slid down the hiway (two-tone), and the bike (and paint) was 15 years old.  That was going to look like crap, with one side new and the other side oxidized, so I had the whole bike (full dresser) painted a single color and antied up the extra money from my own pocket.

As usual, Harley refused to give me any paint codes on my rare 1 of 1000 make and model 1986 FXRD, so I told them to KMA and did not return the paint to original, as I had wanted.

Make sure the insurance company is sending out a motorcycle expert..... I'd call and ask them about this before the inspection date.  And I'd try to be there for the inspection.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

When my bike shop wrecked my hog on a test ride years ago (Yes that sucked), the bike shop's insurance company farmed out the inspection/repair estimate to a motorcycle specialist who came all the way up from Richmond VA.  I met him at the bike shop and watched his inspection.... he really knew his stuff, and I was able to point out things that were no longer available aftermarket, discuss paint options, etc.  I was very happy with the result, except they proposed to repaint only the side of the bike (and parts) that slid down the hiway (two-tone), and the bike (and paint) was 15 years old.  That was going to look like crap, with one side new and the other side oxidized, so I had the whole bike (full dresser) painted a single color and antied up the extra money from my own pocket.

As usual, Harley refused to give me any paint codes on my rare 1 of 1000 make and model 1986 FXRD, so I told them to KMA and did not return the paint to original, as I had wanted.

Make sure the insurance company is sending out a motorcycle expert..... I'd call and ask them about this before the inspection date.  And I'd try to be there for the inspection.

Yea, didnt think about the color difference with age.  Yet another hurdle.  The adjuster called and is coming tomorrow.  Will see how it goes.

[custom1]

Ive be upgraded to an inspect and pay status as they have accepted 100% liability.  I just want to be sure if there is any frame or internal damage.  I dont see how that can be done by a visual inspection. 

Yes be cautious there. That sounds like something an insurance co would say to make you think you've won and forget that you should be able to get a few quotes to be sure all the damage is found. I have found out through experience to never accept their first offer. It's always low and their goal it to pay the least amount possible.

[Daniel Meyer]

If the paint's peeling at the welds, then the frame is damaged....

[cma1]

check those places where the pain is broken. do you see any rust under the paint chips, ever so light and hard to see, if so its normal peeling around welds, both my valks have minor peeling under the seat at the welds, and i have had them since new, they have never been wrecked. they are A big heavy bike and prone to stress cracking, (paint, not metal). its pretty hard to tell if a frame is bent on a bike if its really minor, the broken paint would be enough for me as an adjuster to total the bike just in case. it ain't like they cost 30K. about 8K is average for a valk that aint swimming in chrome, so they can give you 6K and let you keep it, or 8K (or whatever book is) and sell the salvage to a rebuilder or an ultralight builder.

[JaysGone]

Dude!!!!!!!
Glad your OK.
Sorry Im a bit late to the party but.
With the bike sold Im not here all that often.

Ummmmmmm You need a rear fender lower section with a smallish dents from the side rails on both sides where it bolts up to the upper.
Its black perfectly usable, might need a good clean up I haven't looked at it in months.

If you want it send me a PM and Ill get it off to you ASAP.
Otherwise one day with all my spares parts it will just get tossed.

[Len]

Very sorry to hear about your accident, and than k God you are okay.  I just got around to installing the bars I purchased from you. I hope your repairs turn out to your satisfaction!

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Thanks Len.  How are you liking the bars?  The insurance adjuster came out and I think I did really good.  More than enough to do the repairs I need.  Still need to have the frame looked at but I dont think there is any issues.

[old2soon]

Dude!!!!!!!
Glad your OK.
Sorry Im a bit late to the party but.
With the bike sold Im not here all that often.

Ummmmmmm You need a rear fender lower section with a smallish dents from the side rails on both sides where it bolts up to the upper.
Its black perfectly usable, might need a good clean up I haven't looked at it in months.

If you want it send me a PM and Ill get it off to you ASAP.
Otherwise one day with all my spares parts it will just get tossed.

   Instead of tossing them put them in the classifieds?? RIDE SAFE.

[etiwandablues]

Look for a frame repair shop, they do exist. Don't rely on local dealers or insurance adjusters to find everything. You need someone with real expertise. Get some concession from the insurance adjuster that they will cover any additional damage that's found during the repair effort. As mentioned from others, you may bump into the upper limit where the ins company just wants to total the bike.

This summer I had a similar experience, although I got hit from the side and my bike went down pretty hard. Long story short, after repairing all the obvious damage I found out the frame/front end is slightly twisted. I found a shop that specializes in frame repair/straightening.

http://www.wascoframe.com/contact.php

 I'm headed their way next week. Est cost $800-1000 to straighten.

Good luck, glad your ok.

[Karen]

Sorry about your hit, glad you are OK, and the damage is fixable. Good frame shops are worth the money.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

I called a local Honda dealer, good rep, been around for a long time.  Was going to bring my bike to have them check the frame.  When I asked how they check the frame; with a laser, measuring, etc., I was told neither.  They pull the fenders, strut covers, etc and eyeball and check it over just by looking at it.  They told me thats all they needed to do.  Needless to say, I wont be wasting my time with that option.  I called Daryl over at XF6, who I got my rake kit from, I told him what they told me.  He agreed thats a waste of time.  So, Im still investigating my opitions.  The adjust already cut me a check but left open the option of additional money if the frame was damaged.

[fudgie]

can you wet the tires and roll it and see how it tracks?

[BradValk48237]

Measure key points on the rear and compare to another Valk?

Or even just see if things are equal on both side..... The fender supports.... If you have to replace, put the new ones on and the rear fender and see how they fit. If every thing seems good then I'd bet you're OK.

That would be where I'd start......

FYI, I went through the same thing 2 months after I bought my 2000 I/S in 09'...... Hard hit to the rear by another Motorcycle... trashed the rear fender section and trunk and a lot else... marks on the pumpkin from where the other bike hit.... frame and swing arm was not damaged. I was hit so hard the bike was knocked out from under me!
The bike was totaled by the Insurance Co., but I got to keep it with a clean title for a lesser settlement. All the damage was cosmetic and I rode it home from the shop where the Wrecker dropped it off... un-repaired. With used parts and a good paint guy, I put it back together for about $2500 of the settlement..... Got to keep a nice chunk for extra chrome!!!!

Brad

Brad

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Im taking it to a different dealer who will take measurements to see if there is frame damage.  I really am hoping there isnt, Ive got too much time in this Valk.  Was planning keeping it forever.

[billyjakester]

Last Oct., I was waiting with a line of cages at a red-light, stopped - feet down.  Next thing I'm lying on the ground. Girl (on a cell phone) rear-ended me and drove my bike into the car in front of me. The girl admitted being on the phone and was cited by the deputy.  The Valk is pretty tough,  I  straightened the front fender and rode home.  The bike only suffered cosmetic damage...front & rear fenders, rear lights and hardware, right side exhaust, plus misc. parts. I had the bike towed to a Honda dealer and he performed a complete inspection.....over $3k damage.  No frame or fork damage.

suggestions: take photos of the whole bike (too many better than too few), keep in close contact w/Honda dealer re: repairs.  Many dealers charge for a complete detailed estimate, make sure the ins. co. agrees to this otherwise you'll be going back and forth about what should be repaired if they do the standard 'freebie' estimate. Don't assume you're ok physically.  Give yourself a day or two to see how you feel.  Good Luck

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Sounds like you were lucky like me.  Already had an adjuster out. Honda dealer says very, very minor measurements off on the subframe.  Just deciding what to do at this point.

[indybobm]

Sounds like you were lucky like me.  Already had an adjuster out. Honda dealer says very, very minor measurements off on the subframe.  Just deciding what to do at this point.

I know that auto frame shops have charts and measurements for cars. Where do you find the frame measurements for a Valkyrie. It would be nice to have access to this information. I do not think it is in the shop manual, just wondering if it is available to the average person.

Glad you bike appears to be rebuildable and that you are ok.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

They Honda shop took side to side measurements.  They told me there was a very slight difference from side to side of the rear sub frame of about a 16th of an inch.  Told me is probably wouldnt even be noticable.  Still deciding what to do.  Id like to have measurements off of a stock Valk to really get an idea.